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proof that some people are no smarter than monkeys? When was the last time you
heard someone in your office say, "but that's the way it's always been done,"
complete with concerned look? That phrase is your warning that the person you're
talking to is no smarter than a chimpanzee. It should also be a warning sign that
it's time for a serious change in your corporate mindset. Businesses
don't improve if they continue to do the same things, in the same ways, forever.
Even the best companies know that any monkey can continue to repeat an action,
that it takes courage and a sincere desire to do better. Even if you're tops in
your industry, you won't stay there if you stand still while your competitors
move forward. What
does this all have to do with monkeys? Let me tell you a story: It
seems that a group of behavioral scientists wanted to see if they could train
monkeys to train other monkeys. Or at least they wanted to see if they could train
monkeys to train other monkeys to not want bananas. Or some such. Regardless,
the scientists put six monkeys in a room. The room was bare except for a collection
of wooden boxes and a large bunch of bananas hanging from the ceiling well out
of reach. The
monkeys didn't take long to figure out they could stack the boxes and get to the
bananas. But as soon as they started, several large spray nozzles (think fire
hoses) began to drench them. This angered the monkeys, but they tried to continue
toward their goal. The longer they continued, however, the worse the soaking got,
until they finally quit. As soon as they quit, they water stopped. The
monkeys eventually tried again. And again. And again. Every time, however, they
got drenched. And each time they stopped more quickly. Eventually, after several
days of training, the chimps gave up. Whenever they were brought into the room,
they would gaze wistfully at the bananas, but they wouldn't even try to reach
them. They were thoroughly trained to avoid the bananas, and a soaking. The
scientists then replaced one trained chimp with an untrained one, a new member
who had never experienced the drenching. Within minutes the new monkey would begin
stacking boxes. As soon as it did, the other five monkeys attacked him and made
him stop. Every time he tried, he got a beating, until he finally gave up. When
this happened, the scientists would replace another trained monkey. Then another,
and another until, finally, there were six monkeys in the room that had never
been sprayed with water. And yet, none of them would try to get the bananas! Do
you see it coming? You see, the monkeys refused to try to get the bananas because,
that's the way we've always done it around here! So,
the next time someone says, "but that's the way we've always done it around
here," remember the monkeys who didn't know any better. And get yourself
a banana! That's how companies get better - not by acting like a bunch of monkeys.
Permission
to Reprint
Permission
is hereby granted to use this article for e-zines and web sites, as long as
the complete following statement is included at the beginning or end of the
article:
Lane Baldwin
is an authority on humanistic management and servant-leadership. During his
twenty-five year career, he has worked with businesses of all sizes - from mom-&-pop
shops to Fortune 500 companies - helping them increase profits, enhance customer
and employee retention, and enjoy greater fulfillment at work. If you're ready
to push your businesses into overdrive, learn more at LaneBaldwin.com.
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